Dome tents

ABSTRACT

A dome tent has poles that are interlined via connectors located on each pole where it intersects with another pole, and a pole locator, comprising a framework defining the tent boundary, wherein the framework has pole end locators thereon.

[0001] This invention concerns improvements in and relating to dome tents.

[0002] Dome tents have become very popular in recent decades. By varying the number and configuration of the poles, the dome tent can be made suitable for a wide range of conditions. Generally, the more poles that are used and the greater the number of pole crossing points, the higher the wind loading that the tent can withstand. However, more poles increase weight and more crossing points increase construction complexity, which results in a more expensive product

[0003] In addition, the more complex the dome tent, the more difficult it is to erect. Two forms of construction are known. Firstly, the poles are inserted into sleeves, or clips, attached to the inner tent. This means that the inner tent is pitched first (before the tent fly) so that it gets wet if erected in rainy conditions. Alternately, the poles are inserted Into sleeves or clips in the tent fly. If sleeves are used, construction is complex and therefore expensive. If clips are used, stress is concentrated at the clip attachment points in the fly, offsetting some of the stability advantages of the dome configuration.

[0004] Insertion of poles into sleeves is difficult and tedious, particularly if many separate pole sleeve segments are used for each pole. To overcome this, continuous pole sleeves have been developed, but this construction is expensive. Erection of dome tents with pole sleeves is difficult in windy conditions because the partially erected tent catches the wind easily, In addition, because the poles can move relative to each other at the pole crossing points, this results in some reduction of rigidity,

[0005] A first object of this invention is to reduce construction costs of dome tents by eliminating the need for pole sleeves in the inner tent or fly

[0006] A second object of this invention is to allow tents to be pitched fly first, fly only or inner only in order to increase versatility.

[0007] A third object of the invention is to increase ease of erection of a dome tent, particularly in strong winds.

[0008] A fourth object of the invention is to increase rigidity of any pole configuration for dome tents.

[0009] A dome tent is defined herein as a tent with two or more curved poles, which cross at one or more points. Poles may be precurved or straight and flexible, allowing bending into arched configurations,

[0010] According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a dome tent having poles that are interlinked via connectors located on each pole where it intersects with another pole.

[0011] According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a dome tent, having a pole locator comprising a framework defining the tent boundary, the framework having pole end locators thereon.

[0012] The pole locator is preferably in the form of a net comprising a series of tapes or other flexible connectors between the pole end locators. Preferably pole ends are inserted into sockets, eyelets or the like located at corners of the framework. The use of such a framework can create a stable self-supporting pole structure independently of inner or fly. Fly and inner are attached later.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention a dome tent has four elements. The first element preferably comprises base tapes, which create a location net for the pole ends, attachment points for the fly and tent floor, and pegging loops for tent pegs.

[0014] The second element preferably comprises poles made up of segments linked together, such as by shockcord and which have brackets located on the joining sleeves of the pole segments at the position where poles cross. The brackets from each crossing pole are preferably joined together by either a permanent connection, such as a rivet, or by a disconnectable connection, such as a press-stud, such connections allowing rotation of the brackets and therefore the poles relative to each other. Preferably the number of permanent connections is maximised, while still allowing the poles to lie in line adjacent to each other in the unflexed position. This allows compact packing, when the poles are separated into segments and the segments folded together. Alternatively, ends of poles may be joined by means of separate connectors. Preferred connectors have apertures, slots or the like in a desired orientation for a particular pole structure. One suitable connector may be a ring with radially arranged holes or slots in the periphery thereof to receive pole ends. Another suitable connector comprises tubes joined in a radial arrangement, the tubes each being able to receive a pole end.

[0015] The third preferable element is a tent fly which clips via buckles to the comers of the pole location framework adjacent to the pole ends.

[0016] The fourth preferable element is an inner tent, which clips to the pole structure at the pole crossing points, and any other points along the poles between the crossing points deemed desirable, via hooks or Velcro for example. The inner tent preferably has floor corners that clip to attachment points on the location framework.

[0017] Advantages of the present invention include the following:

[0018] Firstly, there is no need for pole sleeves in the inner or outer tent allowing for simplicity and economy of construction. The fly seams may be easily taped, and the inner tent may have web loops with hooks, which are easily sewn into seams,

[0019] Secondly, this configuration allows for ease of erection even in high winds. The tent may be erected in the following sequence: the pole location net or framework is pegged out, the poles are opened and pole ends are inserted into the location net to create a free-standing rigid structure which has very little wind resistance. The fly is spread over the poles and clipped in place and the inner is lastly clipped in place.

[0020] Thirdly, because the fly can be clipped in place before the inner tent, the inner remains dry when pitching in wet conditions. The construction allows exceptional versatility; the tent can be used with fly and no inner reducing weight. Alternatively, the tent can be used with inner and no fly for insect protection in dry conditions.

[0021] Fourthly, because the pole crossing points may be fixed, movement of the poles is prevented at the intersection points. This increases tent rigidity, reducing pole distortion and consequent pole breakage in strong winds.

[0022] Lastly, because the poles may be interlinked, storage and assembly are facilitated, This can prevent loss of separate poles.

[0023] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a pole location net for a 2-pole dome tent;

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a pole location net for a 3-pole dome tent;

[0026]FIG. 3 shows detail of a pole location net comer;

[0027]FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of dome tent poles;

[0028]FIG. 5 shows a bracket for connecting poles;

[0029]FIG. 6 shows a pole structure for a 2-pole dome tent with one crossover point;

[0030]FIG. 7 shows a pole structure for a 2-pole dome tent with two crossover points;

[0031]FIG. 8 shows a pole structure for a 3-pole dome tent with four crossover points;

[0032]FIGS. 9a, b and c show respectively components for a dome tent pole structure, a connector for the poles and a dome tent structure constructed from the components; and

[0033]FIG. 10 shows an alternative connector for the dome tent structure of FIG. 9.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a pole location net comprises a series of tapes 1, which define the perimeter corners of a tent. At each corner is located a socket for the pole end which may be in the form of an eyelet 2. Also at the corners are web loops 3 into which tent pegs can be located. Preferably the net is triangulated via medial tapes 4, allowing the net to Locate the eyelets 2 precisely. FIG. 1 shows the pole location net for the simplest dome tent structure, namely a 2-pole tent with one crossover point. FIG. 2 shows a pole location net for a 3-pole dome tent.

[0035]FIG. 3 shows detail of the corner of the pole location net. In addition to tapes 1 and 4, pegging loop 3 and eyelet 2, two buckles 7,8 are attached to the corner assembly via webs 5 and 6. Buckle 7 is one part of a two-piece buckle which attaches to a matching portion on the corners of the inner tent and buckle 8 is one part of a two piece buckle which attaches to the matching portion on the comers of the tent fly.

[0036]FIG. 4a shows the pole components. Poles comprise a series of segments 9, with internal sleeves 10. At the end of each pole a peg 11 is provided which fits into the eyelets 2 on the pole location net. The pole segments are connected together by an elasticated shockcord 12. The shockcord allows separation of the pole segments and folding into a compact package. Where one pole crosses another pole, a “d” shaped bracket 13 is positioned, which mates with the corresponding “d” bracket on the crossing pole. FIG. 4b shows the appearance of bracket 13 when pole segments 9 are assembled.

[0037]FIG. 5a shows the shape of the “d” bracket 13 in three-quarter view; 5 b shows the shape of the “d” bracket 13 in end view; and, 5 c shows the shape of the “d” bracket 13 in top view. The connection to the adjoining “d” bracket is via a permanent connection such as a rivet 15 through hole 14 in “d” bracket 13 or a disconnectable connection such as a press-stud 16. These are shown respectively in FIGS. 5d and 5 e. The connections 15 and 16 allow free rotation of mating “d” brackets between each other. Thus, the connection is designed so that the top edge of the lower “d” bracket is aligned with the bottom edge of the top “d” bracket as shown in FIGS. 5d and 5 e.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows the pole configuration for a 2-pole dome tent with one crossover point. FIG. 6a shows poles with segments 9 assembled into complete units. FIG. 6b shows the poles opened out. FIG. 6c shows the erected poles. When pole end pegs 11 are Inserted into corner eyelets 2 on the pole location net 1 and 4, the poles arch and create a self-supporting, freestanding structure.

[0039]FIG. 7 shows the pole configuration for a 2-pole dome tent with two crossover points. FIG. 7a shows poles with the segments 9 assembled into complete units. FIG. 7b shows the poles opened out prior to flexing the poles and inserting the end pegs 11 into corner eyelets 2 in pole location net 1 and 4 to create a self-supporting, free standing structure shown in FIG. 7c.

[0040]FIG. 8 shows the pole configuration for a 3-pole dome tent with four crossover points. FIG. 8a shows poles with segments 9 assembled into complete units, “d” brackets 13 with permanent connectors are shown. FIG. 8b shows the poles erected after insertion of end pegs 11 in eyelets 2 on the pole location net. Disconnectable connectors on brackets 13 a are provided at the fourth pole crossover point, These are reconnected as the last step in the pole set up sequence.

[0041] Once the pole structure has been erected, the fly is spread over the pole structure and the corners clipped to matching buckle pieces on the location net adjacent to the pole ends and peg loops. Guy lines attached to the tent fly can be pegged out if necessary,

[0042] Finally, the inner tent is clipped to the pole structure, for example, via hooks, which are connected to the inner tent seams via web tapes. Preferably, the hooks on the inner tent match the crossover points of the poles, increasing the rigidity of the structure. The hook passes over both poles at the point of crossing. Additional hooks on the inner can also attach to the poles at any point between crossover points. For easy erection of the inner tent, it is first clipped to the poles at the tent apex, working out and down, and finishing by clipping the floor corners to the location points on the pole location net.

[0043] A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9a, b and c, in which poles 9 are connected by separate pole connectors 14 a. The pole connectors 14 a are in the form of rings having as many radial holes 15 as are required for the number of poles to be connected, in this case three and the holes each receive a prong 11 at the end of a pole 9. FIG. 9c shows poles erected after insertion of end prongs 11 in eyelets of pole location net 1 and opposite end prongs in the connector 14 a.

[0044] An alternative form of connector 14 b is shown in FIG. 10 which is in the form of tubes 15 a radially connected, the tubes being arranged to receive the end prongs of poles 9 in a similar manner as that shown in FIG. 9c.

[0045] Other pole configurations are possible with connectors of the type shown in FIGS. 9b and 10. Such connectors can be made to take three or more pole ends depending on the configuration.

[0046] The invention can be adapted to fit dome tents with any number of poles of any length with any number of pole crossover points. Preferably a connection (either permanent or disconnectable) will be provided at each pole crossover point, to maximise stability in strong winds. However, there are pole configurations where a connection is not necessary at all crossing points to create a free standing, self-supporting pole structure, after the pole ends are located in the location net. This invention desirably specifies that there be sufficient connections to create a freestanding, self-supporting pole structure, when the pole ends are inserted into the pole location net. 

1. A dome tent comprising a set of tent poles and connectors therefor and a pole locator, comprising a framework defining the tent boundary, wherein the framework has pole end locators thereon.
 2. A dome tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pole locator is in the form of a net comprising a series of tapes or other flexible connectors between the pole end locators.
 3. A dome tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein pole ends are inserted into sockets, eyelets or the like, located at corners of the framework.
 4. A dome tent as claimed in claim 1, having four elements, wherein one element comprises base tapes, which create a location net for the pole ends, attachment points for a fly and tent floor, and pegging loops for tent pegs.
 5. A dome tent as claimed in claim 1 having four elements wherein one element comprises poles made up of segments linked together, and which have brackets located on the joining sleeves of the pole segments at the position where poles cross.
 6. A dome tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the segments are linked together by means of shock cord.
 7. A dome tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brackets from each crossing pole are joined together by a permanent connection.
 8. A dome tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brackets from each crossing j pole are joined together by a rivet.
 9. A dome tent as claimed in claim 5 wherein the brackets from each crossing pole are joined together by a disconnectable connection.
 10. A dome tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brackets from each crossing pole are joined together by a press-stud.
 11. A dome tent as claimed in claim 5, wherein the brackets from each crossing pole are joined together by a permanent connection, the number of permanent connections being maximized, while still allowing the poles to lie in line adjacent to each other in the unflexed position.
 12. A dome tent as claimed in claim I having four elements, wherein one element is a tent fly, which clips via buckles to the corners of the pole location framework adjacent to the pole ends.
 13. A dome tent as claimed in claim 1 having four elements, wherein one element is an inner tent, which clips to the pole structure at a pole crossing points, and any other points along the poles between the crossing points, deemed desirable.
 14. A dome tent as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner tent is clipped to the pole structure by means of hooks.
 15. A dome tent as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner tent is clipped to the pole structure by means of Velcro (RTM).
 16. A dome tent as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner tent has floor corners that clip to attachment points on the location framework.
 17. A dome tent as claimed in claim 13, wherein hooks that clip the inner tent to the pole structure match the crossover points of the poles.
 18. A dome tent having a pole locator, comprising a framework defining the tent boundary, the framework having pole end locators thereon. 